Christie had a difficult spell at Derby but has found his feet at Middlesbrough

He said: “I had a difficult time at Derby but in the last few months, despite my uncle’s death, I’ve fallen back in love with the game.

“Now I have the chance to help Ireland finish the job of getting to the World Cup finals.

“The thrill of it all has helped ease some of that heartache.

“But what will always stay with me is how my uncle helped me stay on the straight and narrow.

“And how not to let racism embitter me and twist me.

“The use of the ‘N-word’ was very familiar to me when I was a kid — even when I’d play on a Sunday morning. As you’d beat an opponent, even when I would only be 12 or 13, you’d hear parents screaming, ‘Stop that f****** n*****’.